MP Chalton Hwende Declares Colleagues Too Poor For Christmas Weeks After Demanding Huge Loans
Opposition MP Chalton Hwende has declared that Zimbabwe’s legislators are too hungry and poor to enjoy the upcoming festive season, a dramatic statement made just weeks after he personally demanded massive new US$150,000 housing loans for all parliamentarians. The clash over welfare has brought national budget debates to a halt.
Chalton Hwende, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) MP for Kuwadzana, urgently argued that MPs’ dire financial state prevented them from focusing on the national budget. He pleaded with the Speaker to delay the Finance Bill debate to first address their pressing needs.
“Hunger Written All Over Their Faces”
Hwende painted a grim picture of the situation in the National Assembly. He stated that a promised joint caucus with Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube had been postponed, leaving MPs without recourse as the Christmas holiday approached.
He told the Speaker:
“Honestly, Hon. Speaker, as we have previously stated, the situation among the Members of Parliament you lead is dire. There is hunger written all over their faces. We are approaching the Christmas holiday, and Members have no means of traveling. We have not been paid our dues.”
Hwende insisted that passing the budget before their concerns were addressed would prejudice MPs, stating, “We have endured enough.”
According to ZiFM Stereo News, he urged the Speaker to facilitate an immediate meeting with the Finance Minister.
A Swift Rebuke From The Government Bench
Hwende’s intervention was met with a sharp rebuke from Government Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi. Togarepi accused Hwende of attempting to hold the government to ransom and of prioritising self-interest over national duty.
He responded in the chamber:
“What Hon. Hwende is suggesting implies that we want to hold the government or the Minister to ransom… as if we are here to represent ourselves. We came here to represent the people.”
Togarepi also disclosed that significant payments for MPs were already being processed, including ZWL$20 million for coupons and ZWL$25 million for allowances. He added that the Minister had promised all Constituency Development Funds (CDF) would be paid by the end of the following week.
Hwende’s Earlier Demand For US$150,000 Loans
This parliamentary clash comes only weeks after Hwende himself made headlines for a major demand on MP benefits. During a pre-budget seminar in Bulawayo in early November 2025, Hwende argued that previous housing loans were insufficient.
Hwende told the seminar:
“We received housing loans worth US$40,000 (approx. R720,000), but because of inflation and compared to what those in the Executive received, we also want you to budget a minimum of US$150,000 (approx. R2.7 million) as a loan that will ensure an MP gets a house.”
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The post MPs Too Poor For Christmas: Hwende Claims While Demanding More Benefits Weeks After US$150K Loan Request appeared first on iHarare News.
